Deals To Be Had In Free Agency

MICHAEL RUSSO ON THE NHL

July 4, 2004|MICHAEL RUSSO ON THE NHL

The Panthers are going to be buyers this summer. This is right from their collective mouth. They said so at the trade deadline in March. They said so when 16 other teams were starting the postseason in April. They said so at last weekend's draft.

Of course, we've been hearing for years that this franchise would sign this and trade for that. And then it doesn't. But this time, being a player seems to be its intent.

With Wednesday's moves to dump six veterans, the Panthers freed up payroll. The team's payroll for its 15 NHL players is $17.02 million.

That figure doesn't include raises that Olli Jokinen and Mike Van Ryn are sure to get. It also doesn't include Anthony Stewart, who is yet to be signed but is a contender to make the team. It also doesn't include Lukas Krajicek and Gregory Campbell, who are contenders, and depth players Eric Beaudoin and Denis Shvidki.

The team's payroll next season is expected to be between $25 million and $30 million, so General Manager Mike Keenan has some flexibility to add players. He says he would like to sign at least six free agents.

The Panthers will be patient, banking they'll be able to get players at bargain prices at the end of the summer since most teams are expected to use the same strategy. Here are some names the Panthers should inquire about:

FORWARDS

Glen Murray, Boston: Joe Thornton's sidekick and one of the league's best shooters between the circles, Murray can be counted on for 30-40 goals per season.

Brian Rolston, Boston: When Keenan was coaching the Bruins, he always raved about how fit Rolston was. The speedy two-way forward has averaged 24 goals and 57 points the past four years.

Pavol Demitra, St. Louis: Demitra, two years removed from a 93-point year, probably costs more than the Panthers can afford, as do Alexei Kovalev and Peter Bondra, but it would be only appropriate if Keenan signed him. As the Blues' general manager in 1996, Keenan stole Demitra in a one-sided trade with Ottawa.

Craig Conroy, Calgary: Would do wonders for the Panthers' marketing because he actually speaks (a lot), plus he's a heck of a two-way center who kills penalties.

Yanic Perreault, Montreal: Regarded as one of the league's best centers in the faceoff circle, he'd be a perfect signing because the Panthers have been the league's worst in the faceoff circle for years.

Mike Sillinger, St. Louis: Florida should have gone after the ex-Panther at the trade deadline, and now it has a second chance. He's a leader, he can score, he's sensational in the faceoff circle and he works his you-know-what off.

"I'd love to come back to Florida," Sillinger said. "My wife would definitely love me to come back to Florida."

DEFENSEMEN

Curtis Leschyshyn, Ottawa: Word is he wants to stay in Ottawa, but he loves Jacques Martin, so maybe the Panthers' new coach can influence this steady blue-liner.

Richard Matvichuk, Dallas: The Panthers have had interest in the Stars' shot-blocking machine in the past, and he'd offer a physical style on the blue line.

Sean Hill, Carolina: Logs lots of minutes and has a cannon for a shot. Acquiring him would get him off one of the Panthers' chief rivals.

Mathieu Schneider, Detroit: This is a pipe dream because he'd be costly, but he'd give Jay Bouwmeester and Lukas Krajicek a terrific offensive mentor.

LEADERS

Mark Messier, N.Y. Rangers; Chris Chelios, Detroit: Keenan respects them more than most of his ex-players, so you can bet he'll be calling the ageless leaders who still have game left in them.

Scott Mellanby, St. Louis; Tom Fitzgerald, Toronto: The ex-Panthers work hard every shift and would be positive influences in a dressing room that desperately needs them. Mellanby would be interested in returning to Florida.

Baby Coyote

Phoenix managing partner Wayne Gretzky pulled the surprise of last week's first round when the Coyotes, at fifth, made Blake Wheeler the first high school player selected in the first round since Brian Lawton was taken first overall in 1983.

Wheeler was ranked 17th among North American skaters by Central Scouting. The Hockey News didn't list him among its top 60 prospects. Many managers privately were shocked the Coyotes didn't try to trade down, where they still could have gotten Wheeler.

"We are not shocked by the fact we took him," Gretzky said. "We feel that this young man has tremendous upside."

Tourney shuffle

Gretzky, Team Canada's executive director for the World Cup of Hockey, said Colorado's Rob Blake (shoulder) and Detroit's Steve Yzerman (eye) are questionable for the tournament.

If Blake can't play, the Panthers' Bouwmeester, who is coming off his second straight strong World Championship for the gold medal-winning Canadians, could be a replacement. Toronto's Bryan McCabe is also a possibility.